CAT: Lesson - Grammar - Roman Rhetoric

Image: statue of the Roman orator Cicero holding a scroll Roman Rhetoric

In ancient Rome even more so than in modern society, the spoken word was extremely important. Therefore, Cicero, like other well-educated Romans from the highest social circles, culminated his education with an in-depth study of rhetoric, which was closely equivalent to a college education in modern society.  Rhetoric was usually taught by highly educated Greek slaves. Many Romans, Cicero included, also traveled to Greece, Asia Minor and Rhodes for "post graduate" work.

A rhetorician gave lessons in advanced literature (especially Greek literature) and trained his students in the art of public speaking. Successful patricians (the Roman upper class) needed these rhetorical skills for presenting opinions in town council meetings and the senate, for presenting cases in law courts, and for addressing the public in election campaigns. In schools of rhetoric students learned the rules for making different kinds of speeches, argued both sides of an issue, learned how to vary their tone of voice and use gestures, and memorized and delivered famous political orations.

Roman students learned that there were three kinds of speeches - demonstrative (to praise or criticize someone), deliberative (to support or attack a position), and judicial (to prosecute or defend a citizen in court).

Structure of a Speech

Speeches were delivered in a particular order, with each section playing an important role. The following list contains the six parts in order, with a brief description.

  1. Exordium - An introduction designed to gain the favorable attention of the audience.
  2. Narratio - A summary of the facts leading up to the point at issue.
  3. Partitio - An outline of the proposed treatment of the point to be proved.
  4. Confirmatio - The affirmative argument for the point to proved. The speaker makes their case with details.
  5. Refutatio - A rebuttal refuting the opposite argument: the opposing argument would be introduced and the speaker would then strongly argue against that point.
  6. Peroratio - The conclusion